I’ll admit up front that I’ve never spent much time listening to Mudhoney, but for as long as I can remember people have always said they were one of the bands that really helped shape Seattle grunge, and I definitely agree with that. What’s cool is that you can still hear the punk and hardcore influences in their music. The production gives the whole album that live in the room feel, which really brings out those sludgy, fuzzed out guitars and gives everything so much raw ... read more

I really enjoyed this album because it keeps the garage rock sound they’re known for, but also leans pretty strongly into a psychedelic direction. The tracks that feature the organ really help bring out that psychedelic vibe and add color, texture, and variety to the overall sound.

Sick of It All is a band I’ve always heard about, but this was my first time actually listening to them. Based on this album, these guys are definitely top tier NY hardcore. I really like the melodic elements they work into the aggression.

This is definitely a classic Minor Threat release. It was their first as a five piece band, and the dual guitar approach really shows. The sound feels more complex compared to their earlier, more straightforward hardcore, and the arrangements are tighter, the riffs hit harder, and the whole album just feels punchier overall.

I’ve also always been a fan of their straight edge message. Punk is supposed to be about tearing down the system, breaking the rules, and revolting, but how can you ... read more

This was an awesome full length album that clocks in at only 18 minutes, so it’s a quick in and out listen. Even though it’s short, it feels a little longer when you’re in it, and the tracks hit pretty hard. It’s really solid for some lo-fi noise rock and shoegaze.

OK, I know I’m probably going to get some pushback for not giving this album five stars along with a glowing review, but the truth is I’ve been hesitant about reviewing this record for over a year. I kept putting it off, and now that the generator finally pulled it, here we are.

I’ll start by acknowledging that this album is absolutely influential. It made its mark on music history, and I’ll always give it full credit for its impact on rock music. This album practically ... read more

I thought this was a great modern post punk album that keeps that classic darkwave edge, but also brings in these really cool, off kilter synths that end up becoming the driving force of the music. There’s also a modern indie dance feel throughout the album that gives it a more contemporary touch, while still holding onto those classic post punk aesthetics.

It swasn’t really bad, but it’s just not my thing. This is basically late night, lonesome cowboy music, like the kind of album you’d put on while drowning your sorrows in a flask of whiskey and feeling bad for yourself.

It’s been a while since I’ve come across an experimental electronic album that I really enjoyed, but this one definitely caught my attention. It’s built almost entirely from 1990s commercial sample CDs that Daniel Lopatin found on the Internet Archive, along with sound libraries of ocean waves, pads, chimes, relaxation textures, and production ready loops. Rather than becoming traditional chill out ambient music, the album keeps shifting underneath you and puts you on edge the ... read more

I was going through a Queens of the Stone Age phase when this album came out, and I have to admit it was one of my favorite albums for a short period of time. I loved how it had that garage rock revival sound, but with more of a dance rock twist, along the the tongue in cheek sleaziness which really worked for me. It almost mocks itself without going overboard, just enough to keep it fun, but still serious enough musically to hold its weight. Honestly, out of all the side projects that came out ... read more

After listening to and reviewing Vanilla Fudge, it put me in the mood for some Deep Purple, especially since Deep Purple were influenced by Vanilla Fudge. This album is their debut, and honestly, I feel like this review is going to be almost identical to my Vanilla Fudge review because they followed a very similar formula.

This album is extremely heavy on the Hammond organ, and it’s filled with cover songs that Deep Purple reinterpret with their own proto metal and psychedelic spin. With ... read more

Vanilla Fudge is a band I’ve known about for a long time, but I never really knew anything about them. This is only the second album I’ve heard from them, and considering this was their debut, they had a very unique approach for their time. Instead of writing their own material, they took familiar songs by The Beatles, The Supremes, and Sonny & Cher and transformed them into slow, theatrical, heavy psychedelic, proto prog suites.

The songs are completely reimagined with ... read more

Here’s a cool little 80s gem for atmospheric synth rock. It kind of sits somewhere between Pink Floyd and Aldo Nova. It has that AOR pop sheen that reminds me of Aldo Nova, but also the atmospheric soundscapes of Pink Floyd’s work from the 80s and 90s. Parts of it definitely make me think of David Gilmour. In terms of genre classification, it’s synth rock, new wave, progressive pop, all wrapped in a sci-fi, space themed atmosphere.

I’m starting to really enjoy The Neighbourhood, and after listening to this album they’re a pretty solid band. This one is more mid tempo and laid back, the kind of album that’s perfect for late night driving. It’s indie pop with a vaporwave-ish feel that leans toward dream pop. So far I’ve only heard this and their latest album, but I’m definitely going to work my way through the rest of their catalog.

This was originally a DJ mix Liam Howlett did for BBC Radio 1’s Breezeblock show, and XL Recordings eventually released it commercially under The Prodigy name for marketing purposes. But at its core, it really serves as a journey through time, highlighting all the musical scenes, genres, and artists that helped shape The Prodigy’s sound.

This mix stitches together hip hop, funk, punk, breakbeats, techno, electro, and all kinds of obscure sample sources into one nonstop and ... read more

I found this album through a song that popped up on a playlist I came across, and I’m glad it did. To me, it straddles the line between dream pop and shoegaze, with a really ethereal atmosphere. What really caught my attention, though, is the punk and grunge revival undertone running beneath it. Just enough muscle and grit to give the sound some weight.

This was definitely a cool discovery from the album generator. I’m surprised I wasn’t already aware of it. You can tell this was made during the early stages of hip hop just by how much it explores outside the traditional boundaries of the genre and doesn’t feel restricted at all. For anyone who loves and appreciates the breakdancing, DJ, and producer side of hip hop, this album will hit the spot.

It has rapping, but it’s not dominated by the MC, and if anything, the ... read more

Well, even though I’m pretty late to the party, better late than never. I’ve known about The Mars Volta since this album came out, but back then they were so popular that they were way off my radar, and I had zero desire to listen to them. To me, they were just another sleazy, overrated band. But looking back, my musical interests were in totally different places, so maybe now is the right time to actually sit with their work and appreciate everything they have going on.

First off, ... read more

When you hear the name Spank Rock, you usually think of a one man operation in the role of an MC, but Spank Rock was actually the name of the whole collective. It featured Naeem Juwan as the MC, Armani XXXChange as the producer, and Chris Rockswell and Ronnie Darko as the DJs behind the group. There isn’t a ton of information or backstory behind this mix, but based on how it sounds, it feels like a collaborative effort from all of them, with Naeem Juwan handling the rapping ... read more

It sounds like this album was a commercial failure when it first came out, but honestly, I think it turned out pretty good. Especially for 80s AOR, synth rock, and prog-leaning material. It’s really melodic with that anthemic arena rock sound and big hooks, like the kind of thing that would’ve fit perfectly into an 80s movie soundtrack.